MANSFIELD: Hospital site demolition is caught in camera

Andy Done-Johnson

Residents in Mansfield keen to see the back of its ‘eyesore’ general hospital site can now follow the demolition process on a special webcam which will follow contractors as they pull down the site.

The time-lapsed camera system, which has been set up to track the dismantling of the building from start to finish,

The high definition system will take round the clock photographs of the site every fifteen minutes.

The archived images will then be edited to produce a film showing the various stages of demolition and will be used as a marketing tool to help sell the West Hill Drive site to potential developers once the buildings are down, a Mansfield District Council spokesman said.

Coun Kate Allsop, portfolio holder for economic regeneration said: “This is a unique opportunity to document the demolition of a historical building in Mansfield, which has generated a lot of public interest over the years.

“The final footage will be used to market the availability of the land for development.”

Demolition started last month after Nottingham-based CMEC Demolition began removing asbestos to make the site safe so the buildings could be levelled.

While the demolition takes place, which should be completed by late April 2014, the council’s housing department will also be clearing the way for residential development, Mr Robinson said.

Demolition will be carried out in phases, firstly to remove the building next to West Hill Drive before then moving onto the main building set further back into the site, the council said.

The 1.3 hectare site, which has been dubbed an eyesore by residents, was bought by the council in June 2013.

It comprises a variety of buildings, the oldest of which dates back to before 1900.

Because the premises have been unoccupied for so long, the site has suffered significant deterioration, and with the discovery of asbestos the project cost increased from an estimated £580,000 to £940,000.

Mansfield Mayor Tony Egginton said: “We have made a commitment as a council to sort out this eyesore which has blighted the area for the last 20 years.

“Since purchasing this site, the council has set a realistic timescale to demolish the buildings and remediate the site, and our plans are on track.”

Live photos of the site can be viewed by visiting http://iris3.time-lapse-systems.com/viewer.php?pass=Lt0zhJP5x1N2.

PICTURED: One of the lime-lapsed images of Mansfield’s former general hospital site in West Hill Drive, which is currently being demolished.